The legal dispute between former Pitt Board of Trustees member John Pelusi and the University’s Board of Trustees has reached a resolution. The conflict centered on Pelusi’s allegations that the board attempted to limit his access to certain information. This resolution was formalized in a consent agreement on January 31, restoring Pelusi to his role as Emeritus Trustee.
Despite this reinstatement, the court decided that Pelusi would not gain entry to executive board sessions or access related materials, which he initially sought. The lawsuit, filed by Pelusi in December 2024, targeted the board and its chairperson, John Verbanac, accusing them of denying him access to vital information about University policies, particularly those concerning name, image, and likeness regulations. Pelusi claimed that his exclusion was a retaliatory measure due to his criticisms of the University’s athletic policies.
In a court document from December 2024, the Board of Trustees clarified that emeritus trustees, like Pelusi, do not possess the same oversight or management duties as active voting members. Anthony Cillo, the attorney representing Verbanac and the board, noted that Pelusi behaved as if he held voting power, which led to his suspension.
Under the agreement, both parties concurred that Pelusi “shall not have access to any Executive Session[s] of the Board” and must adhere to all confidentiality obligations. Furthermore, neither the parties involved nor their representatives are allowed to publicly comment on the legal proceedings.
A status conference is slated for the end of April, where the court will review and ensure the maintenance of both parties’ defined roles.
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